Archive · 5 Jun 2025
New Regenerating Flatworm Species Discovered in Pune's Pashan Lake
Imagine a tiny, flat worm that can regrow its body parts if it gets cut!
Scientists in Pune found a new type of this worm in a lake.
They named it Dugesia punensis.
These worms are special because they can regenerate really fast, in about two weeks!
This is exciting because studying these worms can help scientists learn about how our own bodies can heal and regenerate.
It might help them find new ways to fix injuries and fight diseases, potentially in areas like stem cell research and organ regeneration.
The scientists studied the worm's appearance, body parts, and genes to prove it was a new type.
A new species of planarian flatworm, named Dugesia punensis, was discovered in Pashan Lake, Pune.
The discovery was made by a PhD student and her research guide from Modern College, Pune.
This is the first new planarian species scientifically recorded in India since 1983.
The flatworm is known for its regenerative capabilities, with a 14-day regeneration time.
The discovery is significant for stem cell research and understanding regeneration.
- Who
- Mithila Chinchalkar and Ravindra Kshirsagar.
- What
- A new species of planarian flatworm was discovered.
- When
- The discovery was made over the past three years, with the paper published recently on June 1st.
- Where
- Pashan Lake, Pune.
- Why
- To study aquatic biodiversity and its potential for stem cell research.
- Species Name
- Dugesia punensis
- Discovery Location
- Pashan Lake, Pune
- Type of Organism
- Aquatic flatworm
- Regeneration Time
- 14 days
- Specimen Depository
- Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)